Judge considers whether Haridopolos, Thrasher should be part of Jim Greer civil case

A Tallahassee judge refused Monday to dismiss a civil lawsuit by former
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer against the party and two
prominent state senators.

Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper heard for the first time the details of
Greer's suit, filed after the party reneged on a 2010 agreement to give the
embattled former chairman $124,000 in severance pay.

The deal was struck in secret as the state Republican Party tried to force
Greer, accused of funneling $300,000 from the party to his private company, out
the door.

Greer also named Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and
Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, then the incoming party chairman, as
defendants in the suit.

For two hours, attorneys for Haridopolos and Thrasher argued their clients
couldn't be personally responsible for the contract because they had signed the
agreement as officials, not as individuals.

Greer's attorney, Damon Chase, retorted that Thrasher and Haridopolos were
not party officials at that time, and had no authority to sign on the party's
behalf. At that time, Thrasher was in line to be party chairman, and Haridopolos
was in line to be Senate president. Haridopolos and Thrasher promised in the
contract to do all they could to make sure Greer got his severance.